slide session 8 - project management

project

a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product/service/result

• often operates outside the functional structure of an organization

project attributes

• has a unique purpose

• temporary

• developed using progressive elaboration (continuously improving + detailing a plan)

• requires resources from multiple areas

• has a primary customer/sponsor (customer provides resources, sponsor provides direction for the project)

• involves uncertainty

project management

the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project. activities to meet project requirements

PM knowledge areas

• core knowledge areas (3)

• facilitating knowledge areas (5)

• integrating knowledge area (1)

core PM knowledge areas

1. scope management

2. time management

3. cost management

scope management

the work that must be completed on the project; identifying and monitoring completion of all tasks

time management

determining a feasible timeframe for project completion; ensuring adherence to the established schedule

cost management

establishing + actively managing the budget for the project

the triple constraint (the project triangle/iron triangle)

the primary constraints to which a project must conform, but it also defines the criteria for success

• consists of time, cost, and scope/quality

recognizing tradeoffs

changes in one area will necessitate change in the others

facilitating knowledge areas

1. quality management

2. human resources management

3. communications management

4. risk management

5. procurement management

quality management

monitoring and continuously improving the quality of work

human resources management

acquiring and nurturing a strong team

communications management

keeping people informed of project status and progress

risk management

identifying and mitigating sources of project risk

procurement management

acquiring external skills and resources when needed

integrating knowledge area

project integration management

project integration management

planning for and initiating all of the other PM knowledge areas

• establishes the pattern: plan > execute > control

the critical path

a technique used to predict total project duration

• the set of activities that determines the earliest time that the project can be completed + the longest path (in duration) through a network diagram

• determines the path with the least amount of slack

slack

the amount of time an activity may be delayed without delaying a subsequent activity

• also known as float

key skills of a project manager

1. leadership

2. integrative planning

3. team development

4. communication

5. technical performance

additional PM skills

• creativity as a problem solver

• tolerance for ambiguity

• credibility + enthusiasm

• flexibility in management style

scrum sprint

a time-controlled mini-project to implement part of the system